They dont make like them anymore

TV stars are popular as long as their serials are on air,but one wonders what happens to them once the show is over.

TV stars are popular as long as their serials are on air,but one wonders what happens to them once the show is over.

Ekta Kapoor extended an olive branch to her one-time favourite actress Smriti Irani with whom she had a fall-out three years ago,by inviting her to a Holi bash. She is also bringing back her famous actors Sakshi Tanwar aka Parvati Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Ram Kapoor aka Jai Walia Kasam Seh together in a serial Bade Acche Lagte Hai. It is said to be an unique and mature love story. Though it is yet to go on floors,it remains to be seen if the show will resurrect the careers of the two actors. Ram,who had become a household name with his outing as Jai Walia,recently appeared in the small but critically acclaimed film Udaan. He has hosted reality shows post Kasam Seh but no one really remembers them.

As for Sakshi,she along with Smriti can be called two of the last iconic actors one saw on the small screen. Smriti as Tulsi Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Sakshi as Parvati ruled the tube for over seven years. Being the nations favourite bahu,albeit on-screen,also helped Smriti launch a political career. After the serial went off air,Smriti produced and acted in a couple of serials but they couldnt recreate the magic of Tulsi. She diversified to theatre and won some acclaim for her plays and even adapted one of her plays Maniben.com on TV. But they could not replace her strong character of Tulsi. As Smriti herself had said,Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Tulsi is the Sholay in my career and I dont think they can be replicated. Sakshi,on the other hand,went on to anchoring shows and acted in a couple of films but couldnt shake off Parvatis hold on her nor recreate that success. Her latest outing is a film Mohalla Assi with Sunny Deol.

After Sakshi and Smriti,came Prachi Desai as Bani of Kasamh Se and Shweta Tiwari aka Prerna of Kasauti Zindagi Kay who struck a chord with viewers. While Prachi has been successful in making a transition to the big screen with Rock On!! and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai,Shweta continues to make waves on television with reality shows and her not-so-recent title clincher in Bigg Boss. She is currently seen in a stand-up comedy show Jubilee Comedy Circus.

Though few of these small-screen icons are doing well for themselves,one wonders where the majority have disappeared or why todays actors are not scaling those heights of popularity. Serial makers prefer newer and younger actors for their shows in the hope that they will be the next Tulsis or Parvatis. The reason is obvious: Established stars come at a higher price so it is cheaper to rope in fresh faces even if they are wanting in talent. But with actors being remembered only as long as their serials are on air,the possibility of TV churning out iconic characters seems to be remote. The little girl Avika Gor connected big time as Anandi of Balika Vadhu but after the serial took a leap,who remembers her? Bidaai girls Parul Chauhan and Sara Khan,who were the viewers favourite sisters at one point,have now moved on to other shows. Interestingly,both the girls have replaced the lead heroines of the shows Rishton Se Badi Pratha and Ram Milayee Jodi respectively,the only silver lining of their popularity.

Maybe,just as serials no longer enjoy the popularity or the long run of a Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi,Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii or a Kasauti Zindagi Kay,actors too dont last for a longer innings. They are left biding their time doing other things,exploring other avenues till they are recalled for their acting chops. Lets see if anything comes out of the Ekta-Smriti Holi embrace.

chaya.unnikrishnanexpressindia.com